Page 7 of Tying the Knot with her Sweet Scrooge

Jill swallowed the lump of anxiety that was causing her stomach to churn as the front door to the cabin opened, and everyone spilled inside.

“Wazzzzup, Griffin!” Ortega shouted happily, climbing over the back of the couch where he’d been sitting as Lena rolled her eyes and swatted her husband on the backside. He immediately rubbed it, tossed a smile at her, and moved forward to embrace the blond man in a hug.

“Oh my gosh, Ortega! You look good, man – losing a lung suits you, which is not something I ever thought I’d say,” Griffin laughed, ruffling Ortega’s dark hair and smiling widely. “This is my wife, Lily – and my children, Rose and Michael.”

“You’re breeding?” Ortega retorted, causing another ripple of laughter among the friends as Jill looked at her husband – onlyto see him turn away, plastering an awkward smile on his face, but it was too late.

She saw the yearning in his eyes, the love that she treasured, which seemed to burn brighter than any candle, and the way he was once obsessed with making her love him. That was one thing about her sweet Babe – that man worked so hard and always had, just to make sure she felt adored and pampered by him, which is why this all hurt so much.

“I’m gonna get the suitcases,” Houghton said gruffly, turning and walking away, and Jill drew in a shaky breath, feeling the pang of loss the moment he left the room.

“Just let Logan get them,” Griffin called out playfully over Lily’s head – who was trying to shush her husband. “Logan’s never worked a day in his life!”

“Hey now,” Juliet said from the doorway, balancing a toddler on her hip and rubbing her massive stomach that was extended with her second child. “Let’s not ruin Christmas so early by having a pregnant woman threaten you…”

“I’m just teasing, Jules…”

“He’s been like this for almost a week now,” Lily explained, putting their son down on the floor so he could explore – and smiled at Jill. “John has been looking forward to this for a while now… and it’s so nice to finally meet you, Jill. I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Lily said openly, moving to hug Jill tightly, before releasing her. “Next Christmas, we’ll put you up at our house, I promise.”

“We’ll see,” Jill replied evasively and caught Lily’s sharp glance. “Come meet, Lena. This is Ortega’s wife, since he’s occupied with running his mouth.”

“Hey! I heard that, Jill,” Ortega crowed, pretending to be dismayed as he scooped up the toddler into his arms and blew raspberries on his belly. “You’re gonna be a turd like your ol’ man, aren't you kiddo?”

“Oh my gosh,” Lena exclaimed with embarrassment, laughing with everyone.

Jill just watched in silent joy as the reunions and introductions continued for several minutes. It was wonderful to see the smiles on their faces, to feel the friendship and camaraderie in the air surrounding them, along with seeing the three children running around the cabin. Her own child would be here next year and already she couldn’t wait, despite this rocky start.

CHAPTER 4

HOUGHTON

Everyone was sitting around the large dinner table, and he could feel Jill’s eyes on him. How was he ever going to keep this a secret from her for two more days? It was killing him to stay away from her, but he knew from experience over the years that if he even remotely looked at the woman who owned his soul, he’d be a goner.

When he was overseas in Afghanistan, everyone called him ‘grumpy,’ ‘cold-blooded,’ and ‘hard-hearted,’ but maybe on the outside to people who didn’t matter. Jill was his very reason for living – and he was a complete noodle when it came to his girl, always had been. Those soldiers in their dusty uniforms long ago would have laughed their rear-ends off if they saw him painting her toenails glittery pink while they watched television together, snuggling, while he was on leave.

When Logan sent him home on a forced leave after Minter lost his leg, he had called Jill from the airport, begging her to make him a Chantilly cake. That had been their wedding cake, and he needed to get lost in a happier memory, planning todisgrace himself on sugar, cry, and hold her close while he fell apart – and he had.

Even when Collins lost his leg a few months ago, Jill had been his rock. He’d walked into the cabin after returning from the hospital and slammed the front door shut, causing Christina to yelp and jump in surprise, but not Jill.

NeverJill.

She simply followed him, taking his hand, and tugged him toward their bedroom. Once the door was shut, she whispered, ‘you’re safe now’ as she removed his coat… and he hit his knees. Yeah, he might pretend to be tough, but he was a mess behind the mask. He’d collapsed onto the floor, hearing the former soldier’s screams of horror and betrayal – knowing it had been him. He’d taken the sick man to the hospital, knowing they would amputate his leg. Jill was there, she was always there, to help pull him back together again, and he looked up.

Her beautiful eyes met his as he felt his heart skip a beat at the tremulous smile on her face. He knew she was aware something was off between them, but how could he even tell her differently without giving it away?

Clearing his throat, he wrenched his gaze from hers and looked at one of the children at the table. Griffin, Logan’s child who was named after his best friend, was currently holding up a green bean for Juliet’s inspection, and Michael was sitting beside him, both in booster seats, however, Michael wasn’t looking at his green beans. No, John Griffin’s youngest child was currently in the process of putting a niblet of corn in his nostril.

Houghton reached over and fished the niblet out, shoving it in a napkin to be thrown away as the child stared at him in confusion. That boy didn’t know if he should laugh or start crying because some stranger stopped his entertainment. Instead, Houghton did the unthinkable without giving it a second thought.

He picked up his spoon, breathed on it, before hanging it off the end of his nose, and crossed his eyes at the child. Michael took one look at him, his mouth opening in surprise, before letting out a chortle of amusement that seemed to come from his very soul.

“You’re pretty good at that,” Lily said approvingly. “If you ever want a job as a babysitter, say the word.”

“Maybe you can apply that new skill someday,” Logan teased knowingly, causing everyone to stop… and Houghton looked at Jill. She was wiping her eyes, smiling at him with such love and warmth that he was sure he was going to cave any second now – until Lena’s voice split the silence.

“Jake, you better take notes.”

“And you better explain that statement, Lumberjack,” Ortega said, shooting up out of his chair and knocking it over behind him. “Are you saying what Ithinkyou’re saying?”

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